Hibiscus plant named ‘JBG RH-05’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Hibiscus  plant having primarily soft apricot orange colored flowers without an eye present.

Botanical classification: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.

Varietal denomination: ‘JBG RH-05’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct Hibiscus plant havingthe varietal name ‘JBG RH-05’. The new variety is the result of aplanned breeding program with the purposes of developing Hibiscusrosa-sinensis plants that exhibit whitefly and leaf spot resistance,propagation and production efficiencies, durable and exotic flowers, andabundant flowering. ‘JBG RH-05’ is the result of a cross conducted inGrand Saline, Tex. between Hibiscus rosa-sinensis varieties ‘JBG 15010’(female parent, unpatented) and ‘JBG 14007’ (male parent, U.S. PlantPat. No. 31,302). The new variety was selected in February of 2016 inGrand Saline, Tex. and the first asexual reproduction of the new varietywas conducted by semi-hardwood cuttings in June of 2016 in Grand Saline,Tex. ‘JBG RH-05’ has been trial and field tested and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive propagations. The present invention has not been evaluatedunder all possible environmental conditions. However, it has been foundto thrive in production and adapt well to the environment in Homestead,Florida. The phenotype may vary with variations in environment without achange in the genotype of the plant.

‘JBG RH-05’ is similar to its female parent in leaf color and havingorange-toned flower petals. ‘JBG RH-05’ differs from its female parentin having slightly smaller and more durable flowers. ‘JBG RH-05’ issimilar to its male parent in having a moderately vigorous growth rate.‘JBG RH-05’ differs from its male parent in flower color, havingoverlapping flower petals, and the absence of a flower eye.

When ‘JBG RH-05’ is compared to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis variety having acommercial name of “Best Friend” (unpatented), both varieties have amain flower color of orange and similar foliage color. However, ‘JBGRH-05’ has larger flowers and more vigorous and less compact growth than“Best Friend”.

The following traits distinguish ‘JBG RH-05’ as a new and distinctcultivar from other Hibiscus varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   1. Flower color that starts as orange/pink and bleeds outward to        a soft apricot orange color;    -   2. Dense branching with a mounding habit; and    -   3. Lack of a flower eye.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic images illustrate the new variety atapproximately three years of age, with the colors being as nearly trueas is possible with color illustrations of this type:

FIG. 1 illustrates a close-up view of a flower of the new variety; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of an entire plant of the newvariety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew variety. The plants were grown in a greenhouse with bottom heat inboxed, 1 yard soil containers. The color readings and measurements weretaken indoors under natural light in a greenhouse on approximately threeyear old plants. Color references are primarily to the Munsell ColorChart (accessed online in 2022), except where general color terms areused.

PLANT

-   Time to initiate roots: About 12 days at an average of 24° C.-   Time to develop roots: About 50 days at an average of 21-24° C.-   Time to produce a finished flowering plant from a rooted cutting:    About 12-16 weeks in a 1 gallon/20.0 cm diameter container.-   Specific disease/pest resistance: Resistance to whitefly    (Trialeurodes vaporariorum) and bacterial leaf spot (Pseudomonas    spp.).-   Heat/cold tolerance: Thrives above 13° C., but expires at    temperatures of 0° C. and below.-   Drought tolerance: Moderate to none.-   Plant:    -   -   Type.—Tropical, ornamental shrub.        -   Habit.—Bush-like.        -   Height.—1.5 m.        -   Spread.—1.5 m.        -   Vigor.—Moderate.        -   Rooting.—Coarse and well-branched.-   Stem:    -   -   Number per plant.—15.        -   Length.—61.0 cm.        -   Width.—1.3 cm.        -   Texture.—Immature: Smooth, green, semi-hard wood. Mature:            Medium-textured, brown, hard wood.        -   Strength.—Moderate and flexible.        -   Branch arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Internode length.—3.8-5.1 cm.        -   Color.—Immature: 10GY 5/8. Mature: 10YR 2/6.        -   Stipules.—Number per node: 2. Shape: Pointed. Length:            0.6 cm. Width: 1.6 mm Surface texture: Smooth. Apex: Acute.            Base: Attached. Margin: Entire. Color: 10GY 5/8.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate.        -   Size of leaf.—Length: 15.2 cm. Width: 14.0 cm.        -   Shape of leaf (generally).—Cordate/oval.        -   Shape of apex.—Mucronate/cuspidate.        -   Shape of base.—Rounded/cordate.        -   Texture.—Upper surface: Semi-abrasive and shiny. Lower            surface: Semi-abrasive.        -   Margin type.—Slightly serrate.        -   Color.—Young leaves: Upper surface: 10GY 4/10. Lower            surface: 10GY 6/10. Mature leaves: Upper surface: 10GY 4/10.            Lower surface: 10GY 6/10.        -   Veins.—Venation type: Netted. Color: Upper surface: 5GY 7/8.            Lower surface: 5GY 7/8.        -   Petiole.—Length: 5.1 cm. Diameter: 3.2 mm. Texture: Smooth.            Color: 10GY 5/8.

FLOWERS

-   Buds (described in a tight/not swollen/not opened state):    -   -   Shape.—Urn.        -   Diameter.—1.3 cm.        -   Length.—3.2 cm.        -   Color.—10GY 6/10, but 10YR 8/20 when pushing            color/swollen/not yet opened.-   Natural flowering season: May to October in Azusa, Calif.-   Flower type and habit: Complete and single.-   Fragrance: Mild floral.-   Flowers:    -   -   Number per stem.—1-7.        -   Overall depth.—12.7 cm.        -   Overall diameter.—20.3 cm.        -   Shape.—Stellate.        -   Lastingness.—1-3 days on the plant.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Open and overlapping.            Length: 10.2 cm. Width: 7.6 cm. Shape: Oblanceolate. Apex:            Round, with incisions absent. Base: Acute. Margin: Entire,            with weak undulation intensity. Texture/appearance: Upper            surface: Soft and smooth. Lower surface: Semi-abrasive.            Color: When opening: Upper surface: 5YR 7/8. Lower surface:            5YR 6/8. Fully opened: Upper surface: 5YR 7/8 with a ring of            transitioned 5YR 6/8 and a 10YR 8/8 center. Lower surface:            5YR 6/8.        -   Calyx.—Form: Free. Overall length: 2.5 cm. Overall diameter:            2.5 cm. Sepals/calyx lobes: Number: 7. Shape: Pointed. Apex:            Pointed. Margin: Entire. Texture: Semi-abrasive. Color:            Outer surface: 10GY 5/8. Inner surface: 10GY 6/10.        -   Epicalyx.—Average number: 6 per flower. Length: Fused at            base-2.5 cm. Width: 2.5 cm. Texture: Semi-abrasive. Color:            10GY 6/10.        -   Bracts.—Location: Part of the epicalyx — encircling the true            calyx at the base of the sepals. Number: 2. Position:            Opposite. Length: 0.6 cm. Width: 1.6 mm Shape: Pointed.            Apex: Pointed. Base: Attached. Margin: Entire.            Texture/appearance: Upper surface: Semi-abrasive. Lower            surface: Semi-abrasive. Color: Outer surface: 10GY 6/10.            Inner surface: 10GY 6/10.        -   Peduncle.—Length: 8.9 cm. Diameter: 3.2 mm Strength: Strong.            Angle: 45°. Texture: Smooth. Color: 10GY 6/10.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Gynoecium.—Pistils: Number: 1. Length: 8.9 cm. Stigma:            Number: 5. Shape: Round. Length: 3.2 mm. Diameter: 3.2 mm.            Color: 5R 4/14. Style: Length: 0.6 cm. Width: 3.2 mm. Color:            10YR 8/8. Ovary: Shape: Urn. Length: 0.6 cm. Width: 0.6 cm.            Color: 10YR 8/8.        -   Androecium.—Stamens: Number: Approximately 50. Position:            Below the stigma on the style. Anther: Shape: Round.            Diameter: 1.6 mm. Color: 7.5Y 9/12. Filament: Length:            3.2 mm. Width: 1.6 mm. Color: 7.5Y 9/12. Pollen: Color: 7.5Y            9/12. Amount (generally): Abundant.

SEEDS

-   Seeds: None produced.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Hibiscus plant named ‘JBGRH-05’, substantially as illustrated and described herein.